In an age when mainstream music takes few risks, JOLLY’s second studio album, The Audio Guide to Happiness (Part 1), has a refreshing and original sound that stimulates the mind and senses. Based out of Rockaway, Queens, they play progressive rock inspired by bands such as Radio Head, Muse and Tool, according to their Facebook. Their sound combines sophisticated chord arrangements with aggressive volume changes to create “infectious melodies,” they wrote.

“The easiest way to explain our music,” bassist Anthony Rondinone said, “is that it’s more melody-based.” Rather than focusing on synthesized beats like what is common on the radio today, JOLLY’s music “always revolves around a strong melody and groove,” he said. “We want to bring some groove into rock, metal and alternative rock.”

Rondinone said although JOLLY is not a punk band, they strive to play “music you can move to, something you can really hold on to.”

Their music provides a “therapeutic auditory experience” and attempts to bring the listener’s “brain to a state of pure happiness.” However, Rondinone added that they “did not want our listeners to get caught up in the science of it,” but rather to focus on enjoying the music.

The first song on their new album, “End Where It Starts,” displays one of the band’s many strengths, creating a tone that is not a melodic anthem.

Their next song, “Joy,” builds on the previous track, but with a more melodic tune. The music video for “Joy” which premiered July 12, now available on Youtube, features Rondinone with singer Anadale, keyboard and sampler Joe Reilly, and drummer Louis Abramson wearing black, white, and “a touch of red” because, Rondinone said, they wanted a “clean, sleek look to the video” and “to show people what we look like.”

JOLLY wore their black and white attire to a show they played on Thursday, July 15 at Fat Baby on Rivington Street in Manhattan. Although they were the opening set, the venue was packed with people wanting to hear their music. Unlike most new artists, they sounded clean rhythmically and melodically. They played songs off their new album, including “Joy” and “The Pattern,” one of the heavier singles that includes a metal breakdown in the middle of it.

For those that missed the show at Fat Baby, JOLLY is playing on August 5 at Matchless, located at 557 Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn and on August 19 at Arlene’s Grocery, 95 Stanton Street in Manhattan. For two free music downloads, go to http://Jollyband.com/promo and use the promo code “Queensledger.”